Archives for November 2011

Let me start off by saying that I do this every year to keep warm. I also should say that I had a very difficult time doing this the first year that I did it. It was almost the ruin of my marriage, trying to get this stuff to work. However, I did come up with some pretty neat ways to make this work, even on very large, picture style windows. Here is what I found works for putting plastic on the windows and why it works so well.

Why Winterize with Plastic?

Winter is a harsh time of year. The weather is cold, the wind is harder and there is a lot of snow if you live in the north. This can end up driving a person’s heating expenses to all time highs. To help prevent these costs, there are a lot of different winterizing projects that can help to decrease the amount of heat lost and prevent cold weather from gaining entrance into the house. The biggest of these winterizing projects is covering the windows with plastic. This can be tricky, so knowing how to winterize windows with plastic is essential to completing the project quickly, easily and with minimal stress.

Which Windows to Winterize

While it is a good idea to winterize all of the windows in a home, there are some windows that need it more than other windows. These windows are typically on the north and western sides of the home; however, there is a good way to determine which windows need it. First, on a bright day, turn the lights off inside the house. Walk around the windows and look for signs of light coming from where the wall meets the window frame. These areas will need to be patched and then covered. On a windy day, watch the curtains on the windows. If the curtains are moving, these windows need to be covered with plastic because wind is pushing through the joints where the frame holds the glass.

Finding Plastic for Winterizing Windows

There are several kits that promise to help winterize windows. These kits provide detailed instructions on how to winterize windows. They often include double sided tape and pre-cut plastics. This plastic tends to be very thin and the tape is weaker than other double sided tapes. These kits are suitable if a person lives in the middle section of the country, where it does not get incredibly cold and the wind does not blow quite as strong. For those who live in the north, pick up a couple rolls of thick and strong double sided tape and a roll of painter’s plastic. The double sided tape will hold the plastic up and secure. The painter’s plastic is thicker than the other plastics, a clouded clear so people can see outside and it is very durable.

Putting up Plastic Over the Windows

Take a piece of the double sided tape and test it against the wood for the window. This will show if the tape is going to damage the paint or not. If so, applying a clear coat of paint is advised to decrease the chance of needing to repaint the windows in the spring. Once this has been completed, measure the windows along their outside edges. Once the windows have been measured, apply a single line of double sided tape to the windows. Do not peel off the back side of the tape yet. Once the tape has encircled the window, cut the painter’s plastic to the same size as the windows. Peel back off of the tape on the top section of the window. Starting in the middle of the window, press the plastic against the double sided tape, taking care to get the plastic centered on the window. Continue this process until the entire window is covered with plastic.

Removing the Winterizing Plastic

Mark the window that the plastic goes over. Since this plastic is thicker than most plastic used to winterize windows, it can be used more than once. Carefully pull the plastic from the double sided tape. If it does not come easily, use a spray bottle to wet the tape and loosen the adhesive. Carefully fold the plastic and store it until next winter so it can be reused rather than having to purchase more and then go through the measuring and cutting process again. To remove the tape from the window, carefully pull it away from the frame. If it appears to be sticking to the paint, apply water to loosen the adhesive. If this does not work, use mineral water and allow it to sit for a moment as it loosens the adhesive.

Now that you know how to winterize windows with plastic, your house will be able to stay warm and cozy all winter long! I know that I will be.

Nothing makes a person happier than to see a child open a gift and their eyes open wide and sparkle with excitement. For some children, the holidays are the only time of the year that they will get any kind of gift. And for some children, they won’t get a holiday gift at all. Perhaps your kids have outgrown their toys. Some families have a tradition of giving away yesterday’s toys to the less fortunate.

On Monday, Dec 12th, join us at Urban Eatery in Minneapolis for Moody’s 21st Annual Holiday Gift Party. There will be drink and food specials and DJ Ronny D will be spinning music all night long.

Which charities can I support with my donation?
Your unwrapped toy donations will be supporting two great Minneapolis based organizations; Domestic Abuse Project and SCC Horizons Youth Program.
The Domestic Abuse Project works to stop domestic violence one family at a time. DAP’s partnerships with community leaders like Richard Moody are the thing that can not only help eliminate domestic abuse but also provide gifts to less fortunate children.
SCC Horizons Youth Program provides after-school help to children and youths ages five to 13 years old. Minneapolis Public Schools identifies at-risk kids who need the academic strengthening that Horizons provides. These school aged kids can now have a gift after all their hard work of holistic learning.

Can I donate used toys?
Donating used items is also accepted. You can donate your gently used clothing, furniture and household items, electronics, sporting and exercise equipment, and books and magazines. If you have larger items such as gently used furniture, please contact info@iammoody.com to make pick-up arrangements.

But I can’t make it that night?
If you can’t make it but want to perhaps make a monetary donation, make checks payable to Humbleslice Inc and mail them to:
Humbleslice Inc
Attn: Moody’s 21st Annual Holiday Gift Party
One Groveland Terrace, Ste 203
Minneapolis, MN 55403

Where will the party be:
Urban Eatery
2730 West Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55416
(612) 920-5000

Fashion Show Coordinator
Richard MoodyRichard Moody, visionary and founder of I AM MOODY, brings with him 30 years of worldly experience and a team of innovative and motivated liaisons who will ensure the Fetching Ball Calendar Dogs Fashion show is fabulous!

I AM MOODY previous engagements include non-profit charity fundraisers for Toys for Tots, the Domestic Abuse Project and a wide variety of high-profile events for companies including the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx professional basketball team, Airforce Nutrisoda, Von Maur upscale department stores and an infinite list of fashion shows and affluent others.

Second Début boasts a unique shopping experience for those who seek fine fashions for the home and wardrobe.“This spiffy resale boutique just off Excelsior Boulevard has gleaming hardwood floors, neat racks of discounted Theory dresses, Coach bags, and brand-new bridal gowns with tags still intact. Second Debut is thrift shopping evolved.”

Can Do Canines gratefully acknowledges the support of Second Debut as the clothing sponsor for the Calendar Dogs Fashion Walk.